Scalp treating device



March 1.5, 1949. F. KELHoFFl-:R

SCALP TREATING DEVICE 2 Sheets-.Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1; 1945 INVENTOR FZoffencefl/zajyef BY ATTORN EYS 45.153

Patented Mar. 15, 1949 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE SCALP TREATING DEVICE Florence Kelhofer, Elizabeth, N. J.

Application August 1, 1945, Serial No. 608,177

(Cl. 12S-60) 1.6 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to mechanotherapeutic equipment, more particularly of the type to stimulate circulation to the scalp.

It is well known that beneiicial effects are obtained by the exertion of sustained uninterrupted, Vconstant localized strong mechanical pressure for a. period of the orderof fteen minutes to one half hour against congested or otherwise aiected localities of the body.

It is among the objects of this invention to pro vide a comparatively inexpensive apparatus for so treating the scalp, which apparatus is so designed that without adjustment, it ts practically any human skull of whatever size and shape and eiects treatment of all cranial parts important to the revitalization of the entire scalp.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the apparatus mounted on a suitable stand.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the scalp treating apparatus embodying the invention, looking at the same in an upward direction relative to the position of the apparatus when in use.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken in a plane passing through line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a Vertical section at right angles to the section of Fig. 3 taken'in a plane passing through line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings reference numeral I4 indicates a stand which has pivotally secured thereto one end of an arm 2. A spring 3 extends from the pivoted end of arm 2 to one of a series of hooks 4lon the stand I to place the arm 2 under any desired tension. The other end of arm 2 has pivotally mounted thereon a yoke 5 which is fastened to the top portion of a housing 6. The housing 6 nis constituted of an upper rectangular portion 1 and a communicating lower aring portion 8. A chair (not shown) is provided for the patient, the parts being so proportioned that the patients skull enters the functional part of the scalp treating device hereinbelow described. The stand may be adjustable in height to accommodate patients of different heights.

An electric heating lamp 9 provided with current through Wires I0, is suitably mounted in the upper portion of the housing` to heat the apparatus and thus promote quicker blood circulation.

The haring portion 8 of the housing consists of a front wall 9, two sidewalls l0 and I I and a rear wall I2 (Fig. 2). On the interior of these walls, reinforcing and spring holding bars are disposed to form horizontally extending rectangular reinforcing and spring holding frames I3, I4 and I5,

which are equi-distant along the height of the housing. Reinforcing and spring holding bars I5 are disposed on the sides of the frame extending in a general vertical direction between the horizontally extending frames.

Disposed within the Haring portion 8 of the housing are three sets of coil springs. One set consists of springs which exert constant sustained uniform pressure on the scalp and contiguous portions of the skull, which pressure as is well known, stimulates circulation to the scalp, relieving congestion and otherwise improving the condition of the scalp. The other set consists of springs which act as a frame to hug the head and maintain the device in position thereon. This set of springs also aids in maintaining the first mentioned set under tension to exert the desired pressure. The third set consists of springs which function to secure the springsi of the other two sets to the interior of the housing.

The iirst mentioned set of springs may comprise:

1. Coil springs I6, I1, I8 and I9 (Figs. 2 and 4) which extend in a generally longitudinal direction relative to the yskull of the patient, and exert pressure on the epicranial portion indicated by reference character a.

2. Two sets of semi-circular or curved springs, one set consisting of the curved springs 20 and 2l (Fig. 3) engaging one side of the skull and the other set consisting of the curved springs 22, 23 (Fig. 2); these springs exert pressure on the superior auricular, anterior auricular and posterior auricular portions (indicated by b) on both sides of the skull.

3. Two springs 24, 24 (Figs. 2 and 3) which exert pressure on the frontal occipito-frontalis portion c of the skull, and

4. Coil springs 25, 26, the coil spring 25 being a heavier spring and approximately twice the diameter of the other springs, which springs exert pressure on the occipital part d of the occipito-frontalis portion of the skull.

The springs of the second mentioned set are the following: Coil spring 21 engaging the forehead, side springs 28, 29, 30 on the right hand side viewing Fig. 2, and side springs 3|, 32, 33 on the left hand side viewing this ysame figure. These springs, plus the spring 26 hereinabove mentioned, form a frame which hugs the skull and maintains the apparatus in position.

The remaining springs which will be herein-` after identied form the springs of the third set hereinabove mentioned.

The springs of the first mentioned set ar maintained under tension and are associated with each other and with the springs of the other two sets as follows:

A cross spring 34 (Fig. 3) has its ends suitably fastened to the frame I4 on the side walls Ill, I I of the housing. The rear ends of the springs I6, I'I, I8 and I9 are fastened to this cross spring by suitable wire or other connection. A second cross spring 35 (Figs. 2 and 3) extends across the housing near the front wall thereof and has its ends fastened to the frame I4 on the opposite sides I0, I l of the housing. The front ends of the springs I5, I1, I8 and I9 are fastened by means of a suitable wire connection with the cross spring 35.

The rear portions of the springs I5, I1, I8 and I9 are maintained under suitable tension by means of two springs 35, 3l (Figs. 2 and 3) which rest on the springs I5, I1, I3 and I9 and extend at right angles to the latter springs. The springs 36 and 31 are tensioned to exert pressure in a downwardly direction on thesev four springs I5, I 1, I8 and I9 by having their ends suitably secured to side springs 38, 39. One end of spring 38 is fastened as at 4t to a longitudinal brace bar I5 on the back Wall I2 of the housing and the other end is fastened as at 4I to a brace bar on the side wall I of the housing. One end of spring 39 is fastened as at "I2 to a longitudinal brace bar on the back wall I2 of the housing, while the other end of this spring is fastened as at 43 to a brace bar on the interior of the side wall II of the housing.

Tension is maintained on the forward portion of the coil springs It, I1, I8 and I9 by means of a pair of coil springs 44 and 45. Spring 45 is fastened to a forward portion of spring I8 and extends under tension from the top of spring I8 to side spring 3| extending diagonally across the ILD front left corner (Fig. 2) of the housing and secured as at 46 to the front wall of the housing, and as at 41 to the side wall II of the housing. In similar manner, spring M is fastened to spring I1 and extends under tension from the spring I1 downwardly to side spring 28 which extends diagonally across the front right corner of the housing. One end of the spring 28 is fastened as at 48 to the side wall I I of the housing and the other end is fastened as at i9 to the front wall 9 of the housing.

The spring 24 exerting pressure on the :frontal occipito-frontalis portion of the skull has its ends fastened to springs 55, 5I which extend along the front wall of the housing and have their opposite ends fastened to the frames I3 and I5, respectively, as shown in Fig. 3 for the spring 5 I. A pair of side springs 52, 53 (Fig. 2) extend rearwardly from the extremities of spring 24 and are fastened at 54, 55 to the side walls II and III, respectively. The spring 24 is thus maintained under the desired tension to exert the desired pressure.

Spring 24' is maintained under desired pressure by having its ends secured to diagonal springs 56, 51. One end of spring 56 is secured to front Wall 9 as at 58 (Fig. 2) and the other to side wall II) as at 59. One end of spring 51 is secured to front wall 9 as at 60 and the other end to side wall Il as at 6 I.

Curved spring 22 (Fig. 2) has its ends fastened to springs 5| and 51 and is maintained under the desired tension by these springs. In like manner, curved spring 20 has its ends fastened to springs 50 and 56.

Large coil spring 25 has its end fastened to frame I4 near the back of side walls II and I2, as indicated by reference characters 62, E3. The ends of curved spring 26 are secured to spring 25, as indicated by reference characters 64, 65. Side spring 30 has one end fastened to spring 25 as at 66 and the other end fastened to a spring 61 as at E8. Spring 61 is fastened at one end to spring 28 at E8' and extends rearwardly and is fastened as at 69 (Fig. 2) to large spring 25. Like wise, side spring 33 extends from the left hand side (Fig. 2) of spring 26 to aspring 19. 'Ihe latter spring has one end fastened to spring 3| and extends rearwardly to spring 25 where it is fastened thereto as at 1 I.

Curved spring 23 has one end fastened to spring 6l, and extends rearwardly and has the other end fastened to spring 38. Likewise spring 2| has one end fastened to spring 10 and the other end fastened to spring 39.

To maintain spring 25 under desired tension and to cause it to exert desired pressure, the following spring structure is used. A cross spring 'I2 extends parallel to the back wall of the apparatus, adjacent thereto and has its ends fastened to springs 38, 39. A curved spring 13 (Fig. 2) extends from spring 'I2 about the rear of spring 25, and is fastened to spring 10 as at 14. A coil spring 'I5 has one end fastened to coill spring 13 and the other end secured to spring 23 as at 16, the spring 'I5 maintaining spring 13 under tension so that it exerts pressure on spring 25. A second curved spring 'I1 passes about the back of spring 25 from spring 12 to spring 51, being fas-.- tened thereto at 1B. A coil spring 19 has one end fastened to spring 11 and has the other end fas.-

tened as at 8@ to spring 2|. A heavy coil spring 3| is fastened to and extends from the mid-point of spring 25 to the rear wall of the housing Where it is fastened thereto as at 82.

Thus it will be seen that the invention provides a scalp treating device comprising longitudinal coil springs for engaging and applying sustained pressure to the epicranial portion of the skull, transverse coil springs for applying sustained pressure to the occipital part of the occipitofrontalis portion of the-skull, curved coil springs for applying sustained pressure to the superior auricular and other cranial parts importantl to the revitalization of the entire scalp. In operation, it has been found that a daily treatmentof fifteen minutes duration causes improved blood circulation to the affected parts which effects re,- newal of stagnant blood and revitalizesthe affected parts. In someV cases, useof the apparatus may beneficially affect hairgrowth.

It will be further noted. that the apparatus will t substantially any skull, whatever thesize and shape, since the spring parts automatically. adjust themselves to the size and shape of the skull of the patient subjected to treatment.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely diler-` ent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the-.scope of the claims, it' is intended that all matter contained inthe above description, or shown in theaccompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrativeandvnot in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States'is: l

l. In a scalp treating device, in combination, a longitudinally extending ccilspring forV engaging and applying pressure to the epicranium. a coil spring extending transverselv,V to. theflensia tudinally extended spring for engaging and applying pressure to the frontal part of the occipito-frontalis portion of the skull, coil springs for engaging Vand applying pressure to the occipital part of the occipito-frontalis portion of the skull, and means for maintaining all of said springs under tension to exert the desired pressure on the aforementioned parts of the skull.

2. In a scalp treating device in combination, a longitudinally extending coil spring for engaging and applying pressure to the epicranium, a coil spring extending transversely to the longitudinally extending spring for engaging and applying lpressure to the frontal part of the occipitofrontalis portion of the skull, coil springs for engaging and applying pressure to the occipital part of the occipito-frontalis portion of the skull and coil springs for engaging and applying pressure to the superior auricular and anterior auricular portions on both sides of the skull, and means for maintaining all of said springs under tension to exert the desired pressure on the aforementioned .parts of the skull.

3. In a scalp treating device, in combination, a series of longitudinally extending coil springs in substantially parallel relation-ship for engaging and applying pressure to the epicranium, a pair of curved coil springs at each side of said series of springs for engaging and applying pressure to the superior auricular and anterior auricular portions of the skull on looth sides thereof, a pair of coil springs extending transversely across the front of said series of longitudinally extending springs for engaging and applying 'pressure to the frontal occipito-frontalis portion of the skull and a pair of curved coil springs at the rear of said series of longitudinally extending springs for engaging and applying pressure to the occipital part of the occipito-frontalis portion of the skull.

4 In a scalp treating device, in combination, a housing, three sets of coil springs therein, one set of coil springs exerting sustained constant pressure on portions of the scalp, the second set of coil springs forming a frame adapted to fit the skull, and a third set of coil springs securing the other two sets to the interior of the housing and causing the rst mentioned set to exert the desired pressure on the scalp.

5. In a scalp treating device, in combination, a housing, three sets of coil springs therein, one set of coil springs exerting sustained constant pressure on portions of the scalp, the second set of coil springs forming a frame adapted to t skulls of different sizes and shapes and the third set of coil springs securing the other two sets to the interior of the housing and causing the rst mentioned set to exert the desired pressure on the scalp.

6. In a scalp treating device, in combination, a housing, three sets of coil springs therein, one set of coil springs exerting sustained constant pressure on portions of the scalp, said set comprising a longitudinally extending coil spring for engaging and applying pressure to the epicranium, a coil spring extending transversely to the longitudinally extended spring for engaging and applying pressure to the frontal part of the occipito-frontalis portion of the skull, and coil springs for engaging and applying pressure t0 the occipital part of the occipito-frontalis portion of the skull, the second set of coil springs forming a frame adapted to fit skulls of different sizes and shapes and the third set of coil springs securing the other two sets to the interior of the housing and causing the rst mentionedset to exert the desired pressure on the scalp.

'7. In a scalp treating device, in combination, a housing, three sets of coil springs therein, one set of coil springs exerting sustained constant pressure on portions of the scalp, said set comprising a series of longitudinally extending springs in substantially parallel relationship for engaging and applying pressure to the epicranium, a pair of curved coil springs at each side of said series of springs for engaging and applying pressure to the superior auricular and anterior auricular portions of the skull on both sides thereof, a pair of coil springs extending transversely across the front of said series of longitudinally extending springs for engaging and applying pressure to the frontal occipito-frontalis portion of the skull, and a pair 'of curved coil springs at the rear of said series of longitudinally extending springs for engaging and applying pressure to the occipital part of the occipitofrontalis portion of the skull, the second set of coil springs forming a frame adapted to fit skulls of different sizes and shapes and the third set of coil springs securing the other two sets to the interior of the housing and causing the first merlitioned set to exert the desired pressure on the sca p.

8. In a scalp treating device, in combination, a stand, an arm having one end pivoted to the stand and the other end carrying a housing, means for maintaining the housing lunder desired tension, said housing containing three sets of coil springs therein, one set of coil springs exerting sustained constant pressure on portions of the scalp, the second set of coil springs forming a frame adapted to t the skull, and a third set of coil springs securing the other two sets to the interior of the housing and causing the rst mentioned set to exert the desired pressure on the scalp.

9. In a scalp treating device, in combination, a stand, an arm having one end pivoted to said stand and the other end carrying a housing, means for maintaining the housing under desired tension, said housing containing three sets of coil springs therein, one set of coil springs exerting sustained constant pressure on portions of the scalp, said set comprising a longitudinally extending coil spring for engaging and applying pressure to the epicranium, a coil spring extending transversely to the longitudinally extending spring for engaging and applying pressure to the frontal part of the o'ccipito-frontalis portion of the skull, and coil springs for engaging and applying pressure to the occipital part of the occipito-frontalis portion of the skull, the second set of coil springs forming a frame adapted to i'it skulls of diierent sizes and shapes and the third set of coil springs securing the other two sets to the interior of the housing and causing the first mentioned set to exert the desired pressure on the scalp.

l0, A head applicator device comprising a hollow receiver member within which the head may be inserted and a plurality of tightly wound uninterrupted interlaced coil springs extending entirely across the interior thereof and forming a recess within which the head may be wedged with the tightly wound coils having tight elongated contact with the head.

11. A head applicator device comprising a hollow receiver member within which the head may be inserted and a plurality of tightly wound uninterrupted interlaced coil springs extending enmesses tirely across the interior thereof and forming a recess within which the head may be wedged with the tightly wound `coils having tightelongated contact with the head, said coil springs being looped and curved and overlaying one another.

12. A head applicator device comprising a hol- 10W receiver member within which the head may be inserted and a plurality .of tightly wound uninterrupted interlaced coil springs extending z en- -tirely across the interior thereof and forming a recess Within which the head may be wedged with the tightly `wound coils having tight elongated contact With the head, and a heater Vlamp carried lby said receiverpositioned above said coil springs.

13. A head applicator device comprising a hollow receiver member within which the head may be'inserted and a plurality of tightly wound uninterrupted interlaced coil springs extending entirely across .the interior thereof and forming a recess within which the head may be wedged with the tightly Wound coils having tight elongated contact with the head, said coil springs extending transversely and longitudinally across `the top and sides of the head.

14. A head applicator device comprising a hollow receiver member within which the head may be inserted and aplurality of tightly wound uninterrupted interlaced `coil springs extending entirely across the interior thereof and forming a recess within which the head may be wedged with the ytightly Wound coils having tight elongated contact with the head, said coil spr-ings being arranged in two layers, an -inside contacting layer to contact the head -and an outside laye-r to support and prevent undue expansion of the inside layer.

15. A head applicator device comprising a hollow receiver member within which the head may be inserted and a plurality of tightly wound un.- interrupted interlaced coil springs extending entirely across the interior thereof and forming va recess within which the head may be wedged with the tightly wound coils having tight elongated contact with the head, the coil springs contact.- ing the sides of the head and back of the neck consisting of curved loops extending downwardly around the head.

16. Ahead applicator device comprising a hollow receiver member within which the head may be inserted and a plurality of tightly wound uninterrupted interlaced -coil springs extending en tirely across the interior thereof and forming a recess within which the head may be wedged with the tightly wound coils having tight elongated contact with the head, said -coil springs being are ranged in three sets, one set serving to exert pres? sure on the scalp and skull, another set serving as a frame to hug the head and hold the device in position and maintain the first set under'tension and a third set to secure the rst two sets `to the receiver.

FLORENCE KELHOFFER.

REFERENCES CETED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,248,525 Fleissner July 8, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 168,614 Germany June 17, 1905 

